Overview The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has intensified its fight against non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) by scaling up the NP‑NCD infrastructure across the country. The move aligns with the government's commitment to early detection, timely treatment and health promotion for conditions that account for a major share of morbidity and mortality in India. Key Developments (FY 2024‑25 & FY 2025‑26) Establishment of 770 District NCD Clinics to provide screening and basic management of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Operationalisation of 364 District Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCC) offering outpatient oncology services, diagnostics and short‑stay care. Creation of 6,410 NCD clinics at Community Health Centres (CHC) to extend services to rural populations. Approval of an additional 297 DCCCs for FY 2025‑26, expanding district‑level cancer care accessibility. Integration of cancer‑prevention activities in AAM centres, supported by the NHM for awareness campaigns. Targeted population‑based screening for individuals aged 30 years and above for common NCDs and three major cancers. Important Facts Screening focus: diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, breast, cervical and oral cancers. Funding and technical assistance are channelled to States and Union Territories through the NP‑NCD framework. The ICMR 2017 report identified air pollution, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, high blood pressure and high blood sugar as major risk drivers for NCDs. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Shri Prataprao Jadhav reiterated the programme’s significance in a Lok Sabha reply. UPSC Relevance Understanding the NP‑NCD framework is crucial for GS 3 (Health) as it illustrates how the government addresses the epidemiological transition from communicable to chronic diseases. The expansion of district‑level facilities reflects the decentralisation of health services, a key theme in public‑policy and governance. Moreover, the risk‑factor analysis by ICMR links environmental and lifestyle determinants to health outcomes, intersecting with GS 2 (Polity) on policy formulation and GS 4 (Ethics) on preventive health responsibility. Way Forward Strengthen human resources at district clinics through specialised training in NCD management. Enhance data‑driven monitoring using digital health platforms to track screening coverage and treatment outcomes. Scale up community‑level awareness through AAMs, leveraging school‑based programmes and mass media. Integrate NCD risk‑factor mitigation (air quality control, tobacco cessation, nutrition) into broader multisectoral policies. Ensure sustained financing and inter‑state coordination to maintain and expand the network beyond FY 2025‑26.